Niravam comes in the form of an orally disintegrating tablet that dissolves on the tongue.
Alprazolam, the active ingredient in Niravam, is also available in regular tablet form as
Xanax® and
Xanax XR®. Xanax and Xanax XR are available in brand-name and generic versions.
Who Makes This Medication?
Niravam is made by Cima Labs, Inc., for Azur Pharma, Inc.
Niravam belongs to a group of medications known as benzodiazepines.
Like all benzodiazepines, Niravam binds to benzodiazepine receptors throughout the central nervous system (CNS). When binding to these receptors, Niravam enhances the action of a brain chemical called
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA).
GABA is an inhibitory brain chemical, which means it slows down or blocks nerve signals in the brain. Niravam, and other benzodiazepines, help GABA to more effectively slow down nerve signals. This is why these drugs are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
Benzodiazepine receptors are located in many areas of the brain and spinal cord. Therefore, benzodiazepines produce a variety of effects in the body, including:
- Muscle relaxation
- Sleepiness
- Stopping seizures
- Decreased anxiety
- Impaired short-term memory.
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